Gratitude Diary

It's the second Saturday of new year, 2020. I was at cafe coffee day in the morning. Vasai CCD is a spacious outlet with great natural light. That abundant light gives life to the store.

When I entered the store, I was in deep thoughts. I had just seen an inspiring Bollywood movie Tanhaji. The movie is so nicely crafted that it touched my heart deeply.

'Push for the best coffee experience' read the sticker on the entrance door. With my right hand I pushed the door open. As I stepped inside, sweet smell of coffee filled my nostrils and my brain. I felt relaxed and protected. The coffee has a magical effect on me.

There were few occupants in the store, I found on my left, couple of empty seats. I occupied one of the chair and kept my shoulder bag in the other.

The coffee counter was behind me. Albeit, bit far.

In the beautiful January morning, in well lighted store, I felt warmth and I sat in the chair, in silence, thinking about my grateful life. I was so lucky to be born in independent India. I have great family and am situated at the best place in India, Mumbai. I was overwhelmed, for nearly thirty minutes, I just set there on the chair, without doing anything. Only thinking about how much grateful I was.

How grateful I was, I thought,  I can afford a Rs. 150 coffee, which for many in my city is a dream. I have a 2BHK home and a beautiful life partner. I thanked God for the love she has bestowed upon me. I thanked her for this interesting and meaningful life. At that moment in the store, I felt I am the happiest person in the world.

The gratitude thoughts were making me happy and giving meaning to my life. My brain was content at that moment. I felt sense of being protected and loved. The two most basic psychological needs of any human being.

It was around 12:00, I was feeling hungry, the thought of having a coffee diverted my brain from gratitude to hunger. I got up and went to the counter.

"Hi"

"Hi, welcome to cafe coffee day." The attendant said.

"Do you have any combo available?"

"Yes, certainly, we have coffee delight, combo of a cappuccino and chilli cheese toast."

"Wow, that's great, give me one of that."

"Sure." Attendant said, "it will be ready in few minutes."

"Thank you." I said and come back to my seat.

I took out my writing diary, which I always keep with me, for situation like this, when I am content with the situation and am overflowed with magnificent thoughts.

I opened a fresh page and jotted down my thoughts. With words flowing on pages, I felt relaxed and happy. I was living that moment. I wrote about how grateful I am, and this beautiful morning.

I was interrupted in my writing when an attendant approached me with my food.

"Your coffee Sir." she said.

"Thank you. Can you please give me a glass of water."

"Sure, I will bring it, in a moment." She said and left.

With in a minute she was back with the water. I took a sip of water from the glass. Put the glass on table. Pick up a chilli cheese toast and took a bite of it. It was delicious. This life is delicious, I thought.

After adding the sugar, I tested coffee. CCD coffee is the best, I love it's taste. I felt rejuvenated and energised after having the cappuccino. I finished the coffee and toast in twenty minutes or so.

Food has a positive effect on me like all others. After the coffee, I felt cheered up and refreshing. I thanked God once again for this wonderful life. I took out my diary and wrote in the diary, dear zindagi love you.

At around one o clock, I stood up to leave the store. I picked up my bag and was walking towards the exit. I looked at the coffee counter, the attendant smiled at me, I smiled back.

'Pull to shed some calories.' The sticker on door read. I smiled and pulled the door open. Confidently and with sense of gratitude I left CCD. I was filled with happiness fuel and charged with excitement. The world certainly was same, but I was new, my gratitude gave me new perspective to face world.

This wonderful life is awesome. I am thankful to my God, my family and my friends for being with me in this short journey on this planet. Thanking you for reading my blogs.

Happy reading. See you soon!